International alliance, named I2U2, formed by India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States; first meeting scheduled for next month.
The I2U2 grouping, consisting of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, is set to host a virtual summit during President Biden's upcoming visit to the Middle East. The summit, scheduled for next month, will focus on strengthening trade and financial ties between the countries, particularly between Israel and the UAE.
The I2U2 grouping, which was established to promote economic cooperation in areas such as food security, energy, and technology, has been designed to leverage the complementary strengths of its members to advance joint projects that promote sustainable development and innovation. Key areas of interest include enhancing agricultural productivity and supply chain resilience, collaborating on clean energy initiatives and technology exchange, and cooperation in digital infrastructure and tech-driven solutions to global problems.
The I2U2 initiative represents a model of modern multilateralism focused on pragmatic, issue-based cooperation rather than traditional diplomatic alignments. It serves as a platform where countries can work together on concrete economic and technological goals, such as climate resilience and digital trade, without requiring alignment on all foreign policy issues.
President Biden, Prime Minister Bennett of Israel, President Modi of India, and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE will attend the summit. The official statement emphasised that the trip is part of a sequence of worldwide interactions at a critical moment and that the I2U2 partnerships reach beyond the Middle East. The President will hold a virtual summit with the I2U2 heads of state for discussions across hemispheres where the UAE and Israel act as essential technology hubs.
The official stated that these partnerships are central to the strategy of empowering partners and encouraging them to work more closely together, which will bring about a more secure region and to Israel's security and prosperity over the longer term. However, the official did not mention any other topics of discussion for the I2U2 summit beyond food security and other areas of cooperation.
President Biden's visit to the Middle East region will include stops in Israel, the West Bank, and Saudi Arabia, and interactions with nearly a dozen leaders from across the region and beyond. The visit is part of the Biden administration's efforts to re-energize and revitalize American partnerships worldwide. The official believes that the trip shows the return of American leadership to bring nations together to address common threats and challenges.
The I2U2 summit next month is expected to be a significant step in strengthening economic ties between the four nations and fostering collaboration across diverse sectors to address common challenges and create transformative partnerships.
